More bodies found in Jaffna and Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Saturday, 10 April 1999, 23:47 GMT]
The skeletal parts and skeletons of twenty three bodies have so far been found in the stadium grave in Jaffna town said investigators. A metal bangle, two knives, one large and one small and three cartridges were recovered from the pit alongside the skeletons by the JMO Dr.Sri Rajeswaran today.

The skeletons of two children and two adults were recovered from the pit by the JMO today. Two skulls are visible in the soil on the western corner of the pit said investigators.

Addtional magistrate S.A.E Ekanathan postponed the digging this afternoon until April 16 in view of the Tamil new year holidays of the Jaffna Municipal Council diggers.

But court sources said that it is unlikely that the excavation would resume on that date as the JMO is concerned that the grave could be quite extensive.

He is, hence, expected to apply to the Jaffna court on Monday that the excavation be done under forensic and geological experts from Colombo.

Three of the skeletons were damaged by the Municipal workers when they began digging the pit near the Duraiappa stadium.

Meanwhile the body of a man in highly decomposed stage was found in shrubs near the cemetery in Saththurukkondaan in the Batticaloa district today around 11 a.m.

Sources said he is believed to have been killed 6-7 days ago.

This is the fifth murder in Sathurukkondan during the last 6 months.

On February 14, body of Aarumukam Suntharalingam, 57, who went to spend the night with her daughter living behind the SLA camp, was found in jungle the following day.

The body of 17 year old youth, Ehamparam Aanatharajah, was found on January 17, and on October 17, last year I.Rasaratnam and his wife, Nakeswary, were found murdered in their house.

So far no one has been arrested in connection with these murders.